East Kilbride Thistle boss Alan Wardlaw has made a raft of new signings as he bids to have the Jags challenging for the league title next season.

Ten new faces have signed up at the Showpark ahead of the new season with Wardy admitting there will be more to come before the club begin their pre-season training on June 28.

The former Cambuslang Rangers manager has raided his old club with goalkeeper Chris Treacy and Lang midfielder, Adam Boyle, linking up with Wardy again. Brian Welsh has also joined as a player/coach.

Scott Hadden, who played under Wardy three years ago at Somervell Park, has joined from East Kilbride FC’s Lowland League side with EKYM’s Barry Devine also adding more creativity to the Jags midfield.

Wardy has also shored up his defence with three new players: Scott Faulds from Wishaw, Lugar captain Seamus McGeady and Scott McDermott arrives from EK Amateurs.

Up front Thorniewood United’s player/manager of last season, John Fallon, has been draughted in to give Thistle more firepower and the gaffer’s son, Jack Wardlaw has also signed as back-up for goalkeeper Treacy.

And Wardy — who has shown the door to eight of last season’s team so far — reckons his new look squad has the talent to push for the Central League Second Division crown next season.

He told the News: “If we are going to make a splash next season it was important that we improved on what we had and I believe we have done that considerably with these new players.

“I’m extremely excited about the player Billy Campbell (the assistant manager) and I have brought in.

“I’m delighted to have Chris on board. I brought him to Cambuslang a couple of years ago and, being a goalkeeper myself, I’m his biggest critic.

“But he will be a strong presence for us and with Jack in there and Greg Aitken, there is great competition among our goalkeepers for next season.

“Another player coming from Cambuslang is Adam. He is a tremendous signing for us.

“I brought him to Cambuslang from Aston Villa U19s a couple of season ago and he played every game when I was there, winning a league winners medal as well.

“I don’t recall him having a bad game when I was there and he was a double player of the year winner that season.

“He didn’t have as good a time of it last season, but he’ll certainly score goals for us and he’s got enough talent that I can play him anywhere on the pitch.”

Last season Thistle shipped 57 goals in 20 league games so Wardy has been keen to bolster his defensive options.

And in signing the likes of Treacy, McGeady and Faulds he believes they will be much stronger than the side that finished second bottom of the table last season.

“The oldest trick in the book is to strengthen the spine of your team, but we really had to do that to challenge next season,” Wardy added.

“We need to be a bit more aggressive and more physical next season and these guys will give us that.

“With the experience they’ve got it gives us the opportunity to go three at the back. Knowing how comfortable they are there and their strength, it gives us the chance to be more attack minded.

“One of the things we missed as well last season was a playmaker and by bringing in Scott Hadden, we’ve got a guy who is one of the most technically-gifted players I’ve seen.

“I think he will be influential for us next season and Barry Devine, another attack-minded midfielder, will be conducive to the style of play we are aiming for as well.

“With John Fallon up top, he will be able to hold the ball up as well as showing his eye for goal, so I can see the bits of the jigsaw coming together now.”

Players are still going on trial at the Showpark over the course of the next few weeks and Wardy expects more names to be added to his list of new talent.

He said: “We are much further forward than I would have expected at this stage, but with Billy and I looking to sign a few others there’s exciting times ahead for the club.”